By ANDREW HAN
Do you ever read a book and feel like it relates to you so much that you start to think you are the main character?
That is precisely what happened to me and Ned Vizzini’s “It’s Kind of a Funny Story.” Although this mind-blowing novel focuses on the life of 16-year-old Craig Gilner, I at some point, even forgot about his name and thought it was me. Even our ages are the same.
The main theme and struggle for Craig is depression and mental pressure, mainly from school and family. Attending a very competitive high school combined leads Craig into mental illness and despair. As his life goes downhill, Craig feels overwhelmed and is on the brink of suicide, but thankfully checks himself into a mental clinic where he finds interests such as art and new friends who share similar stories. All this helps him to find happiness again, but most importantly, find himself. And here lies one of the biggest strengths of the book, in my opinion—reliability. Many readers, especially teenagers like me, may recognize elements of Craig in themselves. Those who have gone through the struggles of growing up in a competitive environment will be all too familiar with his anxieties, insecurities and the expectations he faces to succeed in school and life. Anyone who has ever felt overburdened with life’s responsibilities will identify strongly with Craig’s journey to face his inner demons and seek help.
Another huge focus in the novel is that it is okay to seek help from others. At the beginning of the book, Craig, being absolutely shattered and hopeless, says to himself: “In the end, I’m not going to change the way I feel inside. I’m not going to wake up one day and find that I love life, so why not just end it now and save myself the pain?” But as the pages go on, we get to see Craig’s transformation, the changes in both mental and physical aspects, and the happiness and purpose he finds again in his life. And all that would never have been accomplished by Craig himself if it wasn’t for his friends and nurses who helped him feel that he’s not alone in this terrible world and that he could open up to people. This helped him to relieve his stress and anxiety and stabilize his emotions.
“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” delivers a powerful message: that it’s okay to get help, that there’s no issue with not having all the answers, and that there is hope even in the darkest times. The friends he makes at the hospital serve as a beacon of light that brightens Craig’s life and lets him see the beautiful world he lives in.
“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” is a very moving book that leaves a lasting impression and causes bursts of both laughter and tears. Anyone who wants to explore the power of the human spirit in the face of mental health difficulties should read it. The story of Craig serves as a reminder that even in our darkest hours, there is always hope that we should never lose.